My Wishlist

The Dream Exchange

Throughout our lives we share our dreams with family and friends, and they share their dreams with us. If we're lucky we can help them achieve their dreams and also work on achieving our own. How wonderful it is to experience this Dream Exchange.

ABOUT THIS ALBUM

Album Notes

Welcome to the Dream Exchange...

Throughout our lives we share our dreams with family and friends, and they share their dreams with us. If we're lucky we can help them activate and achieve their dreams and also work on achieving our own. How wonderful it is to experience and share in this Dream Exchange.~ John Luttrell, April 2014

"Auditory bliss and atmospheres to set the mind, body and soul at ease, a literal musical cloud of beauty and grace"-Keith "MuzikMan" HannaleckNew Age Music Reviews

"John Luttrell's "The Dream Exchange" is surely among the best ambient albums I've listened to in the last five years; but, it's not "just another ambient" affair... John calls his music "atmospheric" for a very good reason - he draws on an extensive multi-cultural background to paint his visions for you in very clear, concise and enjoyable songs that will inspire you to new heights."- Dick Metcalf, aka Rotcod Zzaj, IMPROVIJAZZATION NATION magazine

"Guitarist/keyboardist John Luttrell takes the listener on an entertaining cruise through a dizzying landscape of prog, new age, and EM on The Dream Exchange. Meticulously recorded (produced by Luttrell himself and mastered by sound wizard Bryan Carrigan), the album sizzles with energy and imagination, frequently propelled by Luttrell's artistry on an assortment of guitars backed by his adroit command of a variety of keyboards and synths. [...] Luttrell drops in elements of classic prog-rock here and there (mellotron, mini-moog, retro synths), and on headphones it can be fun to pick these elements out if you are an old-timer like me. The Dream Exchange demonstrates John Luttrell's unique musical vision via its guitar-driven soundscapes that flow forth from the speakers with power and imagination."- Bill BinkelmanWind and Wire / Zone Music Reporter

With one of the cutest and most appealing album covers I’ve seen in awhile, John Luttrell’s "The Dream Exchange" grabs your attention, piques your interest, and then soothes your stresses and worries away with close to an hour of warm, optimistic music that works seamlessly in the background or as music that flows in and out of close listening attention. Calling his music “atmospheric music” takes it in a somewhat different direction from “new age” or “ambient” because it’s both and yet neither from a purist standpoint. With elements of prog rock, the album features Luttrell on acoustic and electric guitars as well as keyboards with twelve songs that follow the theme of exchanging dreams. In the liner notes, Luttrell explains: “Throughout our lives we share our dreams with family and friends, and they share their dreams with us. If we're lucky we can help them activate and achieve their dreams and also work on achieving our own. How wonderful it is to experience and share in this Dream Exchange.” A lifelong musician who has lived and absorbed cultural influences from all over the world, Luttrell’s music reflects many of these influences and gives him a very distinctive sound.

"The Dream Exchange" begins with “Orange Sky,” a piece that combines dreamy atmospheric sounds with a gently-floating guitar melody and a lively rhythm that comes and goes - a very effective opening! “The Sphere” contains a variety of styles and is possibly one of the more prog rock pieces. From Hawaiian guitar to electric rock guitar over ambient musical and atmospheric sounds, it has no hard edges while continuously evolving as it develops. “Dreamcast” is a favorite. Slow and graceful with a shimmering beauty, it reminds me of watching a sunset by the ocean. The title track opens with the sound of rain and thunder and then the electric guitar enters, evoking images of the sun breaking through the storm clouds. From there, guitars express tones of peaceful calm and tranquility - also a favorite. I love the title “Somnambulistic Journey,” and the misty, dreamy music is the perfect accompaniment to a peaceful sleepwalking expedition. “Ethereal Raga” combines a catchy rhythm and mysterious ambient sounds to create colorful images that dance slowly in atmospheric clouds - fascinating! “Inland Returned” is light and fanciful with acoustic and electric guitars leading the way with a gentle smile. “With You” brings the album to a close with an easy, swaying rhythm and feelings of blissful contentment.

"The Dream Exchange" is quiet, relaxing music with plenty of substance to hold your interest while letting your imagination fly. Recommended!